I do feel bad for her, but I have my own life to figure out.
I refuse to be another one of her projects.
“That’s all done.”
She snaps on the lid with quick, efficient movements. “Thank you, Elliott. I appreciate you coming all this way to help us.”
“It was no problem.” Maybe if I hadn’t disappointed her by shirking corporate life, things would be different. Butafter everything that happened, I needed a change. Something completely different and out of my comfort zone that required all my focus and attention. Something that didn’t come easily, so my mind couldn’t wander.
Thanks to August, I found that.
I’m proud of what we’ve built together.
If only she could be proud of me too.
“I’m proud of you, Elliott.”
Loren’s words from last night come soaring back.
“It’s important to do what makes you happy, even if the people you love think you’re wrong.”
She’s right. It’s so incredibly important, because at the end of the day, you’re the one who has to live with yourself.
CHAPTER 24
LOREN
5:26 PM
GUESS WHAT I FOUND?
MEG
WHAT?
YOU’LL SEE!
The most amazing,wonderful thing just happened.
It’s like fate has decided to offer a reward for all my recent hardships. A reward sitting in the backseat of my car as I drive over to The Alley to meet Meg.
The moment I pull in next to her, the door of her car swings open and out she comes, her furrowed brow disappearing beneath her wooly red hat.
I throw open my door in time to hear her say, “You know I hate it when you leave me hanging.”
“I know.” That’s why it’s so fun to do it.
Her laughter puffs like white smoke in the frigid January air. “Well, don’t leave me hangingnow. Tell me what you found.”
I unzip my coat and throw open the lapels with a flourish, revealing the most glorious surprise beneath.
Meg bounces on her toes, her golden hair swishing as she screeches with excitement. “No way! Bowling shirts?”
“That’s right.” Every few weeks I swing by the thrift store to search for hidden treasures (thanks,Antiques Roadshow). Today’s foraging session has borne more fruit than I could have ever imagined. “There were four in total, so I splurged.” Another treat to celebrate the promotion. The whole set cost twenty bucks, probably because the thrift store didn’t think anyone would wear mismatched shirts embroidered with the names Harry, Erwin, Glenn, and Ash over the breast pocket.
Joke’s on them.
I’ve already claimed Harry as my own.
